Actor Nana Patekar dies at 75; Modi, Maharashtra and Goa CMs pay tribute

Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 8, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. The actor was found unconscious at his home and was subsequently rushed for medical attention.

Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Department of Oncology at Manipal Hospital in Goa, said Patekar suffered a cardiac arrest at around 5.20 am. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered for nearly 45 minutes, but the actor remained in asystole and could not be revived. A medico-legal case has been completed, and a post-mortem examination is required.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi led the tributes to Patekar, remembering him as an “exceptional artist” who devoted his life to cinema.

Speaking at the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, Modi recalled Patekar’s ability to take on a wide variety of roles and connect with audiences across generations.

“Nana Patekar ji devoted his life to the art and craft of cinema. He never allowed himself to be confined by boundaries; like a bird, he soared freely across the skies of cinema,” Modi said.

He described the actor as a “revolutionary” who spoke against social evils and used his films to raise questions about injustices and shortcomings in society.

“Through his films, he powerfully challenged the injustices and shortcomings prevalent in society. He was a revolutionary in his own way, who worked against social evils,” Modi said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described Patekar’s death as a “massive shock to the heart” and remembered the actor’s enormous contribution to Marathi and Hindi cinema.

Fadnavis said Patekar had “gifted an entire era to Marathi and Hindi cinema” and recalled how his portrayal of patriotic and socially conscious characters had left a lasting impression on audiences.

Remembering films such as Krantiveer and Natsamrat, Fadnavis praised Patekar’s distinctive acting style and said the powerful body of work he created during his career had no equal.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also expressed condolences, particularly recalling Patekar’s contribution to farmers and social welfare through the Naam Foundation.

Sawant said he had discussed with Patekar plans to expand the foundation’s work in Goa. According to the Chief Minister, Patekar had expressed an interest in taking the organisation’s farmer and water-conservation initiatives to the state.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) also mourned Patekar’s death. RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale expressed condolences to his family and admirers.

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced that Patekar would be accorded a state funeral, recognising his contribution to Marathi theatre as well as Marathi and Hindi cinema.

Born in Maharashtra in 1951, Patekar began his career in theatre before moving into films. His film debut came with Gaman in 1978, after which he appeared in several smaller roles.

His breakthrough came with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda (1989), in which he played the volatile gangster Anna. The performance brought him widespread recognition and earned him his first National Film Award.

Patekar subsequently became known for playing intense and complex characters, frequently portraying figures operating at the edges of society or struggling with personal and moral conflicts.

His notable performances included Major Chauhan in Prahaar, a film he also directed; Majid Khan in Angaar; the patriotic character in Tirangaa; and Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer, for which he won the National Film Award for Best Actor.

He demonstrated his versatility in Khamoshi: The Musical, where he played a character who could neither hear nor speak, challenging perceptions that he was primarily suited to loud or aggressive roles.

His later work included films such as Rajneeti, where he played an astute politician, as well as commercial films including Welcome and its subsequent instalments.

Patekar won three National Film Awards, for Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi. His body of work encompassed an unusually broad range of characters, including gangsters, soldiers, policemen, politicians, patriots, villains, comic figures and tragic protagonists.

He worked across both Hindi and Marathi cinema, while continuing his association with theatre. Plays such as Purushand Hamidabai Chi Kothi were among his notable theatrical works.

His distinctive dialogue delivery, intense screen presence and ability to convey anger, vulnerability and moral conflict became defining features of his acting.

Patekar was also known for his outspoken views on social and political issues. Farmers’ welfare was particularly close to his heart.

In 2018, actor Tanushree Dutta accused him of sexual harassment over an alleged incident on a film set a decade earlier. Patekar denied the allegations.

The controversy became part of the wider wave of allegations that helped ignite India’s #MeToo movement in 2018.

In 2019, police closed the case after concluding that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations.